Are We In The End Times?

[Trevor]

That is simple:
Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus famously explains Sheep and Goats in this parable.
This explains this is in the future, after the fact , after the Royal Priesthood took their opportunities to explain the gospel to the non-believers . After a person dies, they are either (believers) Sheep (previously Royal Priesthood) or they are Goats (non-believers) and rejectors of Christ. Sheep and Goats are "after the fact" , after they die and God goes through a process of separation at Judgement..
Sheep to the right and Goats to the left.
The Royal Priesthood ministers to the non-believers before they become Goats! The Bible also refers to this process of separation as Wheat from the Tares..
Chaff from the Grain

I was led to believe, that when Jesus returns, the dead are going to be resurrected and there will be a thousand years of peace where the Christians are going to minister to the people, but I may be wrong.

 

[Born Again 2004]

I was led to believe, that when Jesus returns, the dead are going to be resurrected and there will be a thousand years of peace where the Christians are going to minister to the people, but I may be wrong.

That may very well be true but the ministering then will be to the living and specifically to the non-believers . What your missing is that all will eventually die our physical death and enter the spiritual realm. At that time, all come under Judgement and are separated based on their belief in or rejection of Jesus..
Sheep to the right and Heaven and Goats to the left or Hell. In this context, Sheep and Goats are found in the spiritual world and not the physical. In the physical world you find believers and nonbelievers; If they die in this condition, then their fate is sealed..
No second chances; that is why it is so important for us to Minister to the Nonbelievers while in the physical! Even our children!

 

[Born Again 2004]

That may very well be true but the ministering then will be to the living and specifically to the non-believers . What your missing is that all will eventually die our physical death and enter the spiritual realm. At that time, all come under Judgement and are separated based on their belief in or rejection of Jesus..
Sheep to the right and Heaven and Goats to the left or Hell. In this context, Sheep and Goats are found in the spiritual world and not the physical. In the physical world you find believers and nonbelievers; If they die in this condition, then their fate is sealed..
No second chances; that is why it is so important for us to Minister to the Nonbelievers while in the physical! Even our children!

Yes they will hopefully Minister to the "people" ; hopefully they will listen before God labels them Goats after death!

 

[Sue D.]

I was led to believe, that when Jesus returns, the dead are going to be resurrected and there will be a thousand years of peace where the Christians are going to minister to the people, but I may be wrong.

Well -- Jesus Christ is going to return in the sky and gather up very quickly the dead in Christ and then those who are live -- in Christ-- will also be gathered up to meet Him in the air and then will be with Him forever.

The 2nd coming when He actually comes to earth. stands on the Mt. of Olives will be the beginning of the 1,000 yr earthly reign of Christ.

 

[Trevor]

That is simple:
Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus famously explains Sheep and Goats in this parable.
This explains this is in the future, after the fact , after the Royal Priesthood took their opportunities to explain the gospel to the non-believers . After a person dies, they are either (believers) Sheep (previously Royal Priesthood) or they are Goats (non-believers) and rejectors of Christ. Sheep and Goats are "after the fact" , after they die and God goes through a process of separation at Judgement..
Sheep to the right and Goats to the left.
The Royal Priesthood ministers to the non-believers before they become Goats! The Bible also refers to this process of separation as Wheat from the Tares..
Chaff from the Grain

Fair dues Born again, I'll bow to your understanding, but we have to be cautious; Romans 10:6-8 But the righteousness that is by faith says: " Do not say in your heart, 'who will ascend into heaven? ( that is to bring Christ down) " or 'Who will descend into the deep? ( that is to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? " The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim. bless you.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Fair dues Born again, I'll bow to your understanding, but we have to be cautious; Romans 10:6-8 But the righteousness that is by faith says: " Do not say in your heart, 'who will ascend into heaven? ( that is to bring Christ down) " or 'Who will descend into the deep? ( that is to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? " The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim. bless you.

Ok, maybe thanks are in order but bow only to the Lord. My understanding is always subject to error. To me the sheep and Goat thing is clearly spoken of in the Bible, as I understand it and, much like the Wheat and Tares, the scriptures is always talking about the separation process during Judgement. The tares and chaff are also referred to being thrown into the fire, symbolic of the Goats being thrown into the fire pit with the Devil.
But your verse above is much more diffucult. It consumed me for some time because, out of context, it seemed to be a rebuke. Well, I researched it some and here is what I am going with: It is an expression that goes back to early Old Testament days..Meaning: as a Christian, don't judge others; who is saved and not saved...Jesus does that and specifically on Judgement Day, when he does the separation.

 

[Trevor]

Ok, maybe thanks are in order but bow only to the Lord. My understanding is always subject to error. To me the sheep and Goat thing is clearly spoken of in the Bible, as I understand it and, much like the Wheat and Tares, the scriptures is always talking about the separation process during Judgement. The tares and chaff are also referred to being thrown into the fire, symbolic of the Goats being thrown into the fire pit with the Devil.
But your verse above is much more diffucult. It consumed me for some time because, out of context, it seemed to be a rebuke. Well, I researched it some and here is what I am going with: It is an expression that goes back to early Old Testament days..Meaning: as a Christian, don't judge others; who is saved and not saved...Jesus does that and specifically on Judgement Day, when he does the separation.

Amen.

 

[Sue D.]

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." doesn't that mean that those who have the Holy Spirit indwelling them Will also exhibit that fruit in their lives. So, Therefore -- we Can be 'fruit inspectors'. Not in a critical way -- but in an observant way and caring way. So -- when a person says they are a believer, shouldn't their lives Show it? And if it Doesn't - then it would be appropriate To approach in a caring, loving way / one on one -- maybe sharing your own testimony -- befriend that person. Be an encourager // maybe lead them to Christ because they hadn't actually been a believer.

 

[Trevor]

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." doesn't that mean that those who have the Holy Spirit indwelling them Will also exhibit that fruit in their lives. So, Therefore -- we Can be 'fruit inspectors'. Not in a critical way -- but in an observant way and caring way. So -- when a person says they are a believer, shouldn't their lives Show it? And if it Doesn't - then it would be appropriate To approach in a caring, loving way / one on one -- maybe sharing your own testimony -- befriend that person. Be an encourager // maybe lead them to Christ because they hadn't actually been a believer.

Before a plant bears fruit Sue it first has to grow, and if you grow roses you first have to feed them **** and that, at first glance to an untrained eye, might give one the wrong impression.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." doesn't that mean that those who have the Holy Spirit indwelling them Will also exhibit that fruit in their lives. So, Therefore -- we Can be 'fruit inspectors'. Not in a critical way -- but in an observant way and caring way. So -- when a person says they are a believer, shouldn't their lives Show it? And if it Doesn't - then it would be appropriate To approach in a caring, loving way / one on one -- maybe sharing your own testimony -- befriend that person. Be an encourager // maybe lead them to Christ because they hadn't actually been a believer.

Many true Christian's have the gift of discernment but the ultimate decision is up to the Lord...being a believer and not rejecting Him is probably the key.

 

[PloughBoy]

Now, I am not trying to be funny ok, but serious! Some Christians has said: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." doesn't that mean that those who have the Holy Spirit indwelling them Will also exhibit that fruit in their lives! " So are they saying: since The "Holy Spirit" is GOD! And the "Holy Spirit" is in us We ought to "exhibit" the Power of God". For the Holy Spirit is God! You cannot separated them!

Now I am not being funny! And that is a question, you cannot separated "The Attributes of The Almighty God"!

 

[Sue D.]

A tree is a bit different than a person. And, yes, at Some point a tree will bear fruit and a person can tell what kind it is.

With a person -- there Will be a difference in their lives right away. A person is born a sinner and when they accept Christ as personal Savior -- the Holy Spirit comes to indwell them Immediately. No real need To wait for some sign of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. No one lives in a bubble -- people observe their lives -- some up close and personal and other from farther away. And maybe it will be that the new believer simply smiles a lot where as they Used to be grumpy. And, maybe it will be in the form of having questions about Scripture they are Now reading. Their inner spirit is Learning.


For example -- if you're part of a youth group and one of that group 'walks the aisle' for 'salvation'. But no one sees any difference in their lives. In the 1st place -- someone Should come alongside the person to disciple them. Same thing with an adult -- there Should be someone reaching out to them.

Maybe part of the problem is there aren't enough people willing To be 'fruit-inspectors'. Or we aren't in Scripture enough Ourselves To know.

 

[Sue D.]

The Holy Spirit Is the Holy Spirit -- God Is God. We do Not inherit the attributes Of God. We are still just human beings. Born again, but still human beings.

 

[PloughBoy]

You might not like my words of presentation but "TalkJesus" is surely not "Gradeschool playground" Chatter! We go for The Prize of The Hghi Calling of Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Trevor]

A tree is a bit different than a person. And, yes, at Some point a tree will bear fruit and a person can tell what kind it is.

With a person -- there Will be a difference in their lives right away. A person is born a sinner and when they accept Christ as personal Savior -- the Holy Spirit comes to indwell them Immediately. No real need To wait for some sign of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. No one lives in a bubble -- people observe their lives -- some up close and personal and other from farther away. And maybe it will be that the new believer simply smiles a lot where as they Used to be grumpy. And, maybe it will be in the form of having questions about Scripture they are Now reading. Their inner spirit is Learning.


For example -- if you're part of a youth group and one of that group 'walks the aisle' for 'salvation'. But no one sees any difference in their lives. In the 1st place -- someone Should come alongside the person to disciple them. Same thing with an adult -- there Should be someone reaching out to them.

Maybe part of the problem is there aren't enough people willing To be 'fruit-inspectors'. Or we aren't in Scripture enough Ourselves To know.

My experience of fruit inspectors was harsh Sue. When I was playing my music on the streets and Christians came by, they seldom asked me if I knew the Lord, they assumed that as I had an unusual occupation, that many people frowned upon, I was a lost soul and they, with a big smile, dropped a tract into my guitar case. Seldom money, but always a piece of paper. If the Lord hadn't hooked me with his word, those fruit inspectors would have likely driven me away. even today, although I often play music at their meetings, I am seldom invited home for tea. I don't belong to the tennis set.

 

[Trevor]

You might not like my words of presentation but "TalkJesus" is surely not "Gradeschool playground" Chatter! We go for The Prize of The Hghi Calling of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Whether or not you go for the high calling of Jesus Ploughboy is questionable and your words of presentation leave a lot to be desired. However the love, kindness and patience that should mark you as a man of God, I wish there were more of.

 

[PloughBoy]

I say: there are a host of people who are not "Christians" who show these signs and have been documented through out history and still walk upon this earth! They show the signs of love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control! And they do not believe in a Jesus Christ or a God! And some are worshipers of all other kind of god's and religions. And there are "true born from above Christians, who have stumble, fallen, in all kinds of mental illness, sick cripple, handicapped in all kinds of ways, learning, comprehension, in the "Spiritual" and "Natural" ways! God also have "Spiritual" handicapped "Spiritual Children and they fall down sometimes, and it is hard for them to get up. And then you look for them to show the signs of a Living God! Shame on everyone one you!! And some of you are right here on "TalkJesus"! You praise and care more about "Sinners" than your own brothers and sisters in Christ who are weak and handicapped, your sin is "You do not even know the difference" But always "Straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel".

 

[PloughBoy]

And I do believe, I am empowered by The Spirit of The Living God!

 

[Trevor]

I say: there are a host of people who are not "Christians" who show these signs and have been documented through out history and still walk upon this earth! They show the signs of love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control! And they do not believe in a Jesus Christ or a God! And some are worshipers of all other kind of god's and religions. And there are "true born from above Christians, who have stumble, fallen, in all kinds of mental illness, sick cripple, handicapped in all kinds of ways, learning, comprehension, in the "Spiritual" and "Natural" ways! God also have "Spiritual" handicapped "Spiritual Children and they fall down sometimes, and it is hard for them to get up. And then you look for them to show the signs of a Living God! Shame on everyone one you!! And some of you are right here on "TalkJesus"! You praise and care more about "Sinners" than your own brothers and sisters in Christ who are weak and handicapped, your sin is "You do not even know the difference" But always "Straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel".

Ploughboy, I, like you, react to the posts levelled at me and reply accordingly. and anyone who has stumbled and fallen, and has mental problems has my sincere commiserations but reading your posts, I wouldn't have seen you among those poor souls. You stand as a warrior who comes against anyone you disagree with. Having walked with the Lord for over forty years, I get irritated when I am treated as a novice. Maybe that is a weakness in me. I do care about sinners but I also care about my brothers and sisters who are weak and handicapped, but I can only know the difference if I am informed. The people on Talk Jesus, I have never met, so it is hard to discern who and how they are, we can only go by the information we receive. A wise man once said "you can only know someone, if they reveal themselves to you." bless you Ploughboy.

 

[Trevor]

And I do believe, I am empowered by The Spirit of The Living God!

I pray you are Ploughboy, I pray you are.